Torn ACL/MCL ousts Wagner's Hicks

Staten Island Advance file photo by Derek AlvezWagner College basketball's Kanifa Hicks was lost for the season with a torn ACL/MCL in her knee.

The injury bug has struck Grymes Hill again.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament has put a Wagner College player on the sidelines for the season.

Junior Kanifa Hicks, who was expected to be the back-up point guard and see plenty of action at the three/three positions, suffered a complete tear and will have surgery before Thanksgiving.

This is the second time in less than three weeks that an ACL injury has hit the Seahawks. Senior center Sha'Ron Harrison went down during a practice and, because she sat out a year after transferring from Delaware, has played her last game in a Wagner uniform.

"If there is a silver lining, it's that Kanifa will be able to red shirt and get two more years," Wagner coach Gela Mikalauskas said of 5-9 Paterson, N.J. resident who is majoring in history with a minor in education.

"It's her physiciality, her rebounding ability at that position, and her athletic presence is what we'll miss."

Hicks played in 22 games last season but was not healthy. She had surgery to the left foot (the same leg) and had rehabbed this summer.

"This injury is every athlete's nightmare," added Mikalauskas, who had not had a Wagner player suffer an ACL in 16 years until graduated point guard Andrea Reed late last season.

"It's tough on an athlete. These players are stronger, conditioned and very flexible. But if that (ACL) goes, it goes with a lot more force today.

"In Kanifa's case, she'll be able to rehab and hopefully have two strong years after that."

Wagner opens its season next Friday, Nov. 12, hosting the United States Military Academy.